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One of Stepping Stone's community houses
Mental health services are increasingly in demand in New Zealand. Westpac customer Stepping Stone Trust is making great strides in Canterbury and Dunedin in delivering a range of services for people who need support.
Stepping Stone is a not-for-profit charitable trust, founded 35 years ago to provide care and support for people affected by mental distress and trauma. Today, the Trust is one of the largest mental health service providers in Canterbury, reaching more than 500 people each week throughout Canterbury and Otago.
The Trust provides a range of services for both adults and children, including community support, mobile medication services, counselling, respite care, residential care and emergency housing.
Several recent property projects to support the Trust’s work have been funded by Westpac Sustainable Business Loans.
One such initiative is the purchase of a number of houses in Dunedin, which have been renovated to suit the needs of the Trust.
Dr Catherine Hughes, CEO Stepping Stone Trust, says previous properties being leased by the trust had provided individual living situations, whereas the Trust has now been able to match some people to live together.
Residents who had previously felt isolated living alone have begun forming friendships and participating more actively in everyday life.
“They’ve been going to swimming pools, opportunity shops and museums, taking daily walks and generally living their best lives. The turnaround in their wellbeing has been wonderful to see.”
Didier Felix, Westpac NZ Relationship Manager, says the work Stepping Stone does makes a significant impact on the community.
“Financing projects that deliver positive social outcomes is a focus for our sustainable business lending and it’s great to be working with Stepping Stone to help them achieve their goal of supporting[HP1] even more people.”
Dr Hughes says another positive recent project financed through a Sustainable Business Loan was in Canterbury, where the Trust purchased a house to accommodate people transitioning out of forensic mental health facilities.
“That’s been a real success for us and it’s incredibly meaningful to now see the residents happy and thriving in their new home,” Dr Hughes says.
For Stepping Stone, access to sustainable finance has enabled more than property investment. It's helping to create warmer homes, stronger communities, and improved outcomes for people who need support the most.
Eligibility and lending criteria apply. Customers need to have at least $1,000,000 of total business lending with Westpac New Zealand. Business Lending products are only available for business and/or investment purposes and not for personal, domestic or household purposes.